NG tube and Ice Chips

Published

Can a patient with a NG tube with intermittent suction have Ice Chips?

Specializes in retired LTC.
Yes, you can even instil ice or slush straight down the NG tube as needed. This is an effective treatment for hyperthermia because it helps to lower their core temperature.
Back in the dinosaur days, I instilled ice water to slow down GI bleeding - one of those desperate times make for desperate measures appproaches. But this one's on Gomco.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.
What were the other two?
Oh yes. It's like you asking us to help you make a sandwich but you didn't give us the two pieces of bread!
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for all of your help! Apologies for leaving out the other two options. Here is the original question and I had the instructor review the last choice for any typos (there were some). It is true that 6 oz. of ice chips is a lot (considering the liquid part) and it would need immediate intervention.

"The nurse observes the CNA doing the following tasks. Which of the following observations would require immediate intervention by the nurse?

A) the CNA put a 6 ounce cup of ice chips in a client room with a NG tube to intermittent suction

B) the CNA disconnects the NG from suction prior to ambulating a client that a bowel resection 2 days ago

C) the CNA puts a pillow under the right arm of a client that had a closed cholecystectomy several hours ago

D) the CNA encourages the client that had an appendectomy to use the incentive spirometry that was given to him after surgery "

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would have to pick B. This is out of her scope of practice to disconnect the suction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I would have to pick B. This is out of her scope of practice to disconnect the suction.

B rubs me the wrong way too. That's what I'd pick...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Show me where answer B shows intermittent suction.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.

I like how she called it the "NCLEX Hospital". Pretty funny.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is the original test question

"The nurse observes the CNA doing the following tasks. Which of the following observations would require immediate intervention by the nurse?

A) the CNA put a 6 ounce cup of ice chips in a client room with a NG tube to intermittent suction

B) the CNA disconnects the NG from suction prior to ambulating a client that a bowel resection 2 days ago

C) the CNA puts a pillow under the right arm of a client that had a closed cholecystectomy several hours ago

D) the CNA encourages the client that had an appendectomy to use the incentive spirometry that was given to him after surgery "

A,B,C,D are all separate answers. You can not take words from one answer and place it in the other one to make it right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

OP....as you see questions can cause a debate....what was the answer?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is a big difference between real world nursing and text book world nursing. And as far as textbook goes, UAP can do very little. I would very likely choose disconnecting the suction as well (Although I think giving the ice chips could also be the answer) To ambulate the patient, the nurse would first have to come in and disconnect the suction (and this of course assumes the pt has orders to ambulate) Furthermore it is important to read the question for only what is there, do not add to it or take away from it.

My point is, answer should be based off your text, not necessarily your real world experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion